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New ABC Licenses Available in Georgetown

March 28, 2014

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Four ABC licenses will be available for application in Georgetown next month, including one for a tavern and three for restaurants. The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) will begin accepting applications for the licenses at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10.

The tavern license is only available to an existing restaurant located in the Georgetown Historic District. An applicant would be eligible to apply for the license as either a tavern or nightclub. The availability of the tavern license also allows taverns located in the area to transfer alcoholic beverage licenses to new owners and new locations within the neighborhood.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and Rules Reform Amendment Act of 1994 (D.C. law 10-122) only permits six taverns in the Georgetown Historic District. It also freezes the transfer or sale of tavern and nightclub licenses in the historic district when six taverns and/or nightclubs are licensed.

In addition to the available tavern license, three new restaurant licenses are also available in Georgetown as a result of a license class change and cancellations. Sixty-eight licensed restaurants are permitted in the neighborhood under the Georgetown Moratorium Zone regulations. Currently, 65 restaurant licenses exist in the zone.

Application details are available on ABRA’s website. Completed applications for the licenses will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the consideration of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Businesses interested in applying will need to do so in person beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 10 at ABRA’s office: